Wanda Maxine Payne

04/29/1931 - 10/06/2023

On October 6th, Wanda Maxine (Lenz) Payne, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend passed away at the age of 92. Wanda was born in Lodgepole, Nebraska, to Arthur Otto and Hazel Margaret Lenz. After graduating from Lodgepole High School in 1949, Wanda attended Clarkson School of Nursing in Omaha, Nebraska. Upon completion of her degree in Registered Nursing, she returned home to Lodgepole and worked in a doctor’s office until starting a family. After returning to Lodgepole, Wanda was reunited with, and married, Caleb Johnn Payne on August 2, 1953. They were blessed with four children; Susie, Jim, Mark, Brenda. They were married for 69 years.

Wanda’s primary passion in life was family and caring for others. Her focus was spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren and extended family. She attended many sports and school activities, and taught Sunday school at Calvary Lutheran Church when her children were young. Always a nurse at heart, once her children were grown, she went back to nursing in the Restorative Care Unit at Regional West Hospital.

Wanda’s other passions were baking and gardening. Friends and family were fortunate to be the recipients of her love for baking. She always said she didn’t mind cooking but she would prefer to bake. She and Caleb both loved the outdoors, and summer evenings found her enjoying her vegetable and flower gardens. She often expressed her sense of satisfaction when viewing her shelves of beautifully canned fruits and vegetables.

Wanda is survived by her sons Jim (Deb) Payne, Mark (Lori) Payne; and daughter Brenda (Steve) Jennings. She has 5 grandchildren, 8 great grand children, and 1 great great grandson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Caleb, infant daughter, Susie; parents, Arthur and Hazel; sisters, Emma Buss, Kathleen Lenz, Betty Lenz, Nancy Lenz; brother, Arthur Lenz.

The entire family would like to express their gratitude to the Western Nebraska Veteran’s Home staff for their loving care. They share so much of themselves as they care for the residents, and devote themselves to a job that requires tireless amounts of energy, love, support, humor, and patience.

Caleb and Wanda were members of Calvary Lutheran Church for over 50 years, and Wanda donated her time and talents in various ways. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Calvary Lutheran Church, 17 E 27th St., Scottsbluff, NE, 69361. Cards may be sent to Jim Payne, 1820 Birch St., Gering, NE, 69341.

Memorial services will be held Friday, October 13, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church with Pastor Ed Hunzeker and Bill Huelle officiating. Inurnment will be at 2 p.m. at Weyert’s Cemetery in Lodgepole, Nebraska.

Fond memories and condolences may be shared at www.dugankramer.com for the Payne family. Dugan Kramer Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.